Manager - Employment Attorney

Support Center - IrvingThe Manager - Employment Attorney is responsible for providing proactive legal advice and counsel to the Company, ensuring compliance with labor/employment regulations, and resolving workplace disputes through negotiation, litigation, or alternative dispute resolution methods. Key responsibilities include advising and resolving issues such as wage and hour disputes, allegations of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, wrongful termination, accommodation issues, ADA matters, associate relations issues, Department of Labor audits, etc. Regular duties include drafting and reviewing litigation documents, including discovery, responding to, managing, and assisting with administrative claims and representing Michaels in mediations and administrative hearings. Additionally, this position will develop strategy in arbitration disputes, court hearings, and trials in partnership with outside counsel.

Major Activities

• Manage labor and employment litigation, arbitrations, and other legal investigations or proceedings. Represent the Company in pre-litigation resolution management; administrative hearings, settlement negotiations, and mediations, and administrative hearings; draft position statements, responses to Agency inquiries, and respond to discovery, certain employment-related contracts and handbooks; and handle a variety of claims, demands, regulatory and employee-related matters.
• Provide prompt and sound subject matter advice and counsel to business partners at all levels regarding labor and employment law matters, including the development and implementation of employee policies and training, accommodations, labor relations issues, compliance, and other human resources policies and practices.
• Monitor and respond to union organizing campaigns. Provide guidance on the employer's rights and responsibilities during these campaigns. Develop and execute strategies to minimize legal risks and protect the Company’s interests.
• Perform legal research to include the monitoring of legislation, regulations, and case law regarding the implications of new or existing laws affecting the Company.
• Assist with other legal functions as requested by other senior attorneys in the Department. 

Other duties as assigned

Minimum Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Minimum Education

• JD required

Minimum Special Certifications or technical skills

• Licensed to practice law and an active member in good standing of at least one state bar.

Minimum Type of experience the job requires

• Minimum of 8-10 years of experience in labor and employment law/litigation and counsel, either at a law firm or as in-house counsel.
• Comprehensive knowledge of labor and employment laws and experience counseling clients on a wide range of employment-related matters.
• Trial and/or arbitration experience.
• Strong strategic thinking, analytical, and legal writing skills.

Other

• Exceptional legal research skills and analytical capabilities
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal skills
• Outstanding negotiation and persuasive skills and abilities
• Ability to work independently and prioritize a large quantity of tasks with sensitive deadlines in a constantly changing environment
• Ability to demonstrate sound judgment in ambiguous situations
• Ability to make timely and appropriate decisions within areas of responsibility under minimal oversight
• Ability to collaborate with and effectively utilize internal and external resources with minimal supervision

Preferred Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Preferred Education

• JD degree from a top 50 law school

Preferred Type of experience the job requires

• Prior working experience within the retail or consumer industries
• A mix of law firm and in-house experience
• Strong strategic thinking and advocacy skills
• Excellent organizational skills

Applicants in the U.S. must satisfy federal, state, and local legal requirements of the job.

At The Michaels Companies Inc, our purpose is to fuel the joy of creativity. As the leading creative destination in North America, we operate over 1,300 stores in 49 states and Canada and online at Michaels.com and Michaels.ca. The Michaels Companies, Inc. also owns Artistree, a manufacturer of custom and specialty framing merchandise, and MakerPlace by Michaels, a dedicated handmade goods marketplace. Founded in 1973 and headquartered in Irving, Texas, Michaels is the best place for all things creative. For more information, please visit www.michaels.com

At Michaels, we prioritize the wellbeing of our teams by providing robust benefits for both full-time and part-time Team Members. Our benefits include health insurance (medical, dental, and vision), paid time off, tuition assistance, generous employee discounts, and much more. For more information, visit mikbenefits.com.

Michaels is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are here for all Team Members and all customers to create, innovate and be better together.

Michaels is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with this commitment, Michaels will assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. Accordingly, if a reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the job, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Customer Care at 1-800-642-4235 (1800-MICHAEL).

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